Anterolateral Thigh Flap Reconstruction of Full Thickness Lateral Abdominal Wall Defect from Desmoid Tumour

Abstract

Desmoid tumours are benign but locally aggressive mesenchymal neoplasms that occur most commonly in the abdomen, with the potential to invade surrounding structures causing significant morbidity. Lateral abdominal wall defects are known to be more challenging and less frequently encountered compared to ventral abdominal wall defects. Asymmetric forces caused by contraction of remnant rectus and contralateral oblique muscles increase the risk of herniation postoperatively. We report a case of a challenging abdominal wall reconstruction after desmoid tumour resection in a 62-year-old male patient who presented to our hospital with a progressively enlarging left upper back lump of 6 months duration. A venous supercharged pedicled anterolateral thigh flap was combined with PROLENE® mesh for reconstruction, and the patient recovered well with good functional and aesthetic outcomes at 2-year follow-up. The pedicled anterolateral thigh flap with venous supercharging can be effectively used for the reconstruction of extensive lateral abdominal wall defects.